Ruth Coppinger
Question:522. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will reduce the fees charged for passports for elderly persons. [18498/15]
View answerTuesday, 12 May 2015
Questions (522)
Written answers
In 2011 the Government found it necessary in light of the budgetary situation to discontinue the arrangement whereby over 65’s could avail of a reduced passport fee. The cost of exempting those aged 65 and over from passport fees was estimated in 2011 to be €2.4 million per annum in terms of lost revenue and, as the shortfall would have to be met by the taxpayer, I have no plans to introduce any such measures at this time.
I would emphasise that the annualised fee for a standard Irish passport compares favourably with many other jurisdictions. At €8 per year the Irish passport fee compares with approximately €9 per year for a British passport, €9 per year for a French passport, €12 per year for an American passport and €18 per year for an Australian passport.